Page 54 of Laid Bare

Her proclamation is punctuated by the door behind me and Marion opening and boots, numerous of them, thudding against the floor. They part around us, each one dressed in all black and carrying an authority that screams trouble.

The last person to arrive is Headmaster Stonewell himself. His eyes bounce around the room, taking in the carnage left behind, before they find mine right next to him. There’s a tightness around those green orbs of his, and I swear I see concern flash through them too. But I’m sure my addled brain is confusing disdain for concern.

After all, the gargoyle wasn’t concerned when I was sentenced to death, so why should it be any different now?

Time becomes a fuzzy thing as statements are taken, people are hauled out of the room, and healers make their way in to take away the dead.

Marion had put me down a while ago, leaving me in the care of my bodyguards and my Pegasus as she went to give her own recount of what happened. Then they released her, canceling the rest of her classes and sending her back to her dorm.

Jasper makes his way over to Zane and shares a few quiet words with him before exiting the classroom without a backward glance. Zane quickly relays whatever he said to Bane before crouching down in front of me.

“We’re to report to the headmaster’s office, where he wants to have a talk with us.”

“But…”

“None of this was your fault,” he cuts me off. “Remember that. Everything you did was in line with the rules, and we all heard you tell him to tap out. Let’s go.”

He helps me to my feet, Bane helping him steady me before stepping back. It’s a slow progression heading up to Jasper’s office, but the brothers are accommodating, stopping every so often to give me a breather.

Aero sticks close to my side, letting me lean on him any time there’s a weakness in my steps. As we step into the stairwell, Bane reaches for my bicep, stopping me.

“Let one of us carry you up there. There’s no way you’re going to make it.” But I’m already shaking my head, the stray wisps of my hair shifting with the movement.

“I’ll just heal myself enough to make it there. If I do too much, it’ll knock me on my ass.”

The rune on my chest heats the moment I mention healing myself, and already, I feel my legs growing stronger. The aches and pains don’t disappear, but by the time my healing cuts off, I’m more than confident that I’ll make it through this meeting.

“Thank you,” I murmur, grateful for more than they truly know.

These two demons jumped into the middle to protect me. And while it’s in their job description to do so, they did so without hesitation. What’s even more, is that they fought for me. Punishing those who hurt me. Even going as far as killing one of them.

That alone says so much about these two men. That they care for me in some capacity.

It’s that thought that has all my previous notions, hesitance, and reluctance on their stance in my life disappearing. It’s time to give them a chance. Get to know them like I should have over the past few weeks.

Only I’ll have to tell them later. Right now, Jasper and my fate awaits our arrival.

Right before we step over the threshold into Headmaster Stonewell’s office, I relinquish my bag from Zane, fish out my phone, and fire off a quick text to my mates.

Me

We have a problem. A big one.

My cell pings with an immediate reply, but my name is called, and we’re all ushered into the office before I can even see what it says.

The disapproving glare on Jasper’s face is enough to have me slipping my phone back into my bag, hoping the guys will forgive me for not being able to elaborate further.

I’m sure Luka has some semblance of an idea as to what happened given information travels fast in the halls, so I’m counting on him to relay it, sans details, to Axel.

Once we’re done here, I’ll explain it all to them.

And hope they still love me, even though, if we’re being technical, my presence killed someone today.

Today isa disaster of epic proportions. I have one student dead, more than a few sequestered in the infirmary, a couple sitting in cells, two raging demon princes, and a limping mate, who’s looking worse for wear.

Professor Simmons—much to my surprise—is standing in my office, defending the actions of the demons and my mate. If it were anyone else, they’d fully place the blame on Bailey, knowing the consequences of killing another. They’d automatically point their finger in her direction because of what she is, even if she didn’t make the killing blow. Anything to rid the world of what they deem as a stain on society.

But not Turner Simmons. He’s always been a fair and just alpha bear shifter, and I couldn’t have picked someone better for the position of combat instructor.

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